Okay, I think I need to do a bit of full disclosure here. I'm a 1911 snob. I buy 1911s like Nighthawks and Wilson Combat and Ed Brown. That Kimber pictured a few posts back? That was my 'cheap gun'. Point being, take my comments with a grain of salt. On the high end, front strap checkering is standard, so it's only because I'm a high-end 1911 snob that I have this 'it's a deal killer if there's no front strap checkering' attitude. Don't take my comments to imply that a 1911 without such checkering is somehow fatally flawed in its design or anything like that.

Having said that, are there any gun ranges in your area where you can rent different guns to try out on the range? If so, maybe rent one with the checkering and one without and compare to see if it makes a difference for you.

yes but they dont have many 1911s...i think the springer might be the only one if i remember correctly.
thats what i meant when i said shooting these past 2 weeks, i was at a range renting guns.

would you happen to know off the top of your head if the kimber target ii has the front checkering? i know someone who has one but he doesnt live close by

You mean the Custom Target II? No, it does not appear to have front strap checkering (hint: go to Kimber's website).

http://www.titantalk.com/forums/atta...pic-4-side.jpg

Of course, you could always throw a Hogue grip on any 1911:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2080/...f26e59577e.jpg

You can always send it in to Springfield's Custom shop. They will checker the front, back or both with a variety of options. Font is around $140 - $200 depending on what you want done.

Springfield Armory

thanks...i was actually checking out the order sheet a couple days ago to see what kind of "mods" they offered...lol its like having a new car

id probably be looking into having them add the white dots on the sights sometime in the future

They do some very high quality work and yeah, too much to chose from on that sheet.

ya and i keep hearing about their great customer service.
since its my first gun i decided to go with them for the customer service and the lifetime warranty...and of course i do like the gun as well

Where do you guys buy your ammo?

Iwas looking at cheaperthandirt and luckygunner

Midwayusa gandermountain etc... I usually check around for sales. Midwayusa is very fast with their shipping but you do have to do price comparisons.

cool thanks i didnt even see midway when i was on google...cheaperthandirt came up a lot though

Here is my collection! :)
M4 carbine
http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/6191/imag0752i.jpg
Taurus PT709 Slim
http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/4567/imag0375p.jpg
MPA .45mm Mac-10
http://img803.imageshack.us/img803/1371/trn0bits7.jpg
Romanian WASR-10 AK 47
http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/6199/trn0bits10.jpg
Hatsan 12 gauge shotgun
http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/9...o112109002.jpg
S&W 357 magnum
http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/1...o122109001.jpg
Glock 10mm
http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/9...o122509008.jpg
Lancaster Arms AK47
http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/7...409498a168.jpg
Ruger 10/22 and a group pic of my other guns
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/8606/i00133.jpg

and I have a Remington 30.06 and a Winchester 12 gauge which isn't pictured :)
The Lancaster Arms AK is by far my favorite out of the bunch. I had a Romanian WASR (its funny because I'm actually full blooded Romanian) and I was so disappointed with the quality! The Lancaster AK was made to order in Goodyear Arizona, and came with a lifetime warranty. The fitments and clearances of the gun are top notch, it comes with Gun Kote already baked onto the metal parts instead of the bluing. Even the furniture has a super deep cherry color that is baked into the wood. It has never had a single jam or issue ever. If all goes accordingly, I am going to pick up a AK pistol with the same finish from them within the next week or two!:tup:

That's a nice collection!

Thank you sir :)

My Kimber Stainless Target II.